Why 4-H is a Good Investment

September 1st marks the new 4-H year in Florida, and many families are enrolling their kids this week. There are several different ways that youth can participate in 4-H. The most traditional delivery mode is community clubs, but youth can also participate through their school or afterschool program, military youth center, camp, or even as a short-term special interest member.

Last year, Florida 4-H introduced a membership fee for community club members ages 8-18 of $ 20.00. Many parents have asked me, “Why is Florida 4-H charging community clubs? Many club kids are enrolled in projects where parents have already invested money into animals or equipment (shooting sports, robotics, sewing machines). I am one of those parents- my own children are enrolled in the poultry project and would like to advance to a rabbit, pig or steer. As a parent who has paid the fee, I see it as an investment.

Photo credit: Paula Davis, UF IFAS Bay County

Although every 4-H delivery mode incorporates positive youth development methods to benefit youth, research shows that the club delivery mode has the greatest benefit to youth. A few years ago, Tufts University did a groundbreaking study on Positive Youth Development. They studied youth engaged in a variety of youth programs (including 4-H) and they tracked the youth from 5th grade until graduation. Florida participated in this study and the results were exciting for 4-H! You can read the full report here. Based on this research, compared to youth in other youth programs, 4-Hers engaged in 4-H clubs are:

Four times more likely to contribute to their communities

Two times more likely to be civically active

Two times more likely to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities during out-of-school time

4-H girls are two times more likely to take part in science programs compare to girls in other youth programs

4-Hers are two times more likely to make healthier choices

So as a parent, I see the club membership fee as an investment. Twenty dollars is way less than what I pay so that my kids can play soccer for a couple of months each year (and depending on the coach- my kids may or may not learn sportsmanship and teambuilding). There isn’t anything on the list above that I don’t want for my children. But these outcomes are all tied to long term involvement with a 4-H club. Clubs are the most effective delivery mode for positive youth development because they focus on three very important areas:

Positive and sustained relationships between youth and adults

Activities that build important life skills

Opportunities for youth to use these skills as participants and leaders in valued community activities

Photo credit: Julie Dillard, UF IFAS Washington County

So if 4-H sounds like a good investment to you, here’s how to enroll (if you are a member of more than one club, you pay the membership only one time per year):